American Red Cross officials are making an urgent plea for blood donors, as blood supplies have dropped significantly, creating a severe shortage of several blood types in the Atlanta area.

There is less than a day’s supply of O negative, O positive, B negative, B positive and A negative blood, officials said. O negative blood in particular is important because it is essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and pregnant women, officials said.

Anyone who is able to donate is encouraged to schedule an appointment at one of several upcoming blood drives by visiting www.givebloodredcross.org or calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.

There will be a blood drive Saturday at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church just south of Fayetteville from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The church is located on 152 Antioch Road, just off Ga. Highway 92 south.

There will also be blood drives in Peachtree City on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Walt Banks Road from 1-6 p.m. also on Friday, Feb. 1 at The Gathering Place recreation center off McIntosh Trail from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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